Adjustable cam device



Aug. 30, 1949. o. MOHR ADJUSTABLE CAM DEVICE 2 Shee's-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 29, 1946 Aug. 30, 1949.

o. MOHR 2,480,594

ADJUSTABLE CAM DEVICE Filed Aug. 29, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIIIIIIIIIJIHIIII `follower; 22. showninFig.. 5.-

UNITED STATES P ADJUSTABLE CAM DEVICE Otto Mohr, Jamaica, N. Y., assignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of NewYork f Application August 29, 194s, serial/N0. 693,648 4 Claims. (Cl. 741-568) TENT OFFICE This invention yrelates to cam devices and more n. The link 9 -as shown in Fig. 3 has' a block-like particularly to adjustable cam devices. body portion Z3terminating at one end in an The object of the invention is to provide an apertured and rounded end portion 24,- theaperimproved adjustable cam device in which a work ture 25 being arrangedand dimensioned to regmember on thecam devicel may be adjusted and 5 ister with the open-ended slot I9 in the link 8 set to present a' required curved bearing suror with a similar open-ended-slot '29 in another face to a movablememberengaged by the cam link 9. The body portion 23 of the link 9 termidevice. nates at another end in a rounded and bifur- A feature ofthe invention resides in a chaincated end-portion 21, the lingers 28 and 29 of like'member .formingthework member ofthe l0 which cooperatively denne an open-ended slot cam device. 26. The rounded andbifurcated end vportion 27 Anothert feature resides in'l spaced adjustable of the link 9 is of reduced thickness as compared supports for thechain-like member. with the Y.body portion 23 and is laterally offset Another feature residesin-link structures of from the apertured and rounded. end.- portion 24 the chain-likeV member. 15 which, asv shown in Fig. 3.has a rear wall 3U In the drawings: Y arranged for. face-to-face engagement with a Fig. 1 is a plan view ofthe camdevice embodyfront wall surface-3l onalink 8. or with the iront ing the invention; wall surface 32- on another link 9'. An upper Fig. 2 is a side view, partly irl-section', oi the edge 33 of the bodyportion 23. of the link 9 is camdevice shown in Fig. 1; 20 substantially straightand provides a riding sur- Figs. 3 and 4 show enlargedfviews, in perspecface for a follower such, for qinstance, as the tive, of links ofA the chain-like-inember; and follower 22 shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5` is a schematic illustration `of the cam The link I0 as shown in Fig. i4 has a blockdevice. in. workable engagement withy a movable like body portion 34 terminating at one end in member operating as a control means for aro- 25 an apertured and rounded end portion 35, the tatablemember and whichmay be, for instance, aperture 36 being suitable to accommodate the the rotor element of a variable electrical air shank portion of a bolt so shown in Fig. 1. The condenser. other end of the body portion 34 of the link Il) The cam -devicefcomprises a support 9 serving as shown in Fig.v 4 terminates in a bifurcated as the bodyotthe cam device,-and a chain-like 30 and roundedend portion 31. Thengers 38 and member 'I comprising a plurality of links con- 39 of the end portion 31 cooperatively dei-lne an structed along the Tgeneral lines-of the links 8, 9 open-ended slot 4i! through -which a bolt 4I may and I0 shown in Figs. Sand ei.V The links are of extend as shown in Fig. 1. The apertured and substantial construction and. may be -members rounded. endportion l35oi the link vIl) is' reduced cast or otherwise formed from `suitable material. 35 in thickness as compared with thev body portion The links 8 andz Ill are used as end links of the 34' and is formed to` provide a recess 42 to acchain-like member 'I, the other link portions in commodate the rounded and bifurcated end porthe chain-like member 'I being made `up of a tion 2T of a link 9, the surface32 of the link plurality oflinks 9'. 9 being in this case, arranged for face-to-face The link 8v Yhas a block-like body portion il 40 engagement with the vfront'face 43 of the recess terminating at onev "end in .anL apertured and 42 of the link I Il. The upper edge 44 of the rounded endportion I2, theaperture VI3 being body portion 34- of the` link IIl is-substantial1y suitable to accommodate the shank Vportion I 4 straight and provides a riding Vsurface for a -folof a bolt i5 shown in Fig. 1. Theother'end of lower such, for instance, as the follower 22 shown the body portion IIl ofthe link 8 as shown in 45 in Fig. 5. Y Y Fig. 3` terminatesV in a bifurcated and rounded The lugs 45 shown on the sides of the links 8 end portion I6 which is of reduced: thickness as and 9 are strengthening lugs Afor the links and compared with the body portion II-.- The lingers may be portions of'gates Yformed when thev links I1 and I8 ofthe end portion I 5 cooperatively il and 9 are castings and later separated from deiinean open-endedslot I9 through which a 5o the main portions of the gatestructures afterbolt ZIJ'may extend as shown in Fig. 1. An upper the castings are made.-

edge 2|- of the body portion II ofthe link 9 is The chain-like member'Iv-shownin Fig. 1 is substantially straight and provides av ridingsurconstructed from a vplurality of vlinks tted toiace for av follower such, for instance, as the gether and arranged in the manner'shown, the links being-held together by means of bolts which extend through openings in the links as required to hold the links together in the form of a chain. The links 8 and I0 are end links of the chainlike member 1 and the remaining portion of the chain-like member is made up of a suitable number of links 9. Each link has a portion in overlapping side relation with another link and the overlapping portions of the links are clamped together by means of bolts 20 which are equipped with nuts and washers or other suitable holding means 46 mounted on the shank portions of the bolts. The links 8 and l0 are in spaced relation and the chain-like member 1 is arranged so that the links are supported edgewise relative to the plane of an end portion 41 on the body 6. The chain-like member 1 may be adjusted at required spaced points and relative to the end portion 41 of the body 6 to make the chain-like member 1 present a required wave-like work surface to a follower such, for instance. as the follower 22 shown in Fig. 5, one of the possible wave-like work surfaces attainable being represented by the wave-like line 48 shown in this figure.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings the chain-like member 1 is arranged in the form of an incomplete circle and the links 8, 9 and I0 are` each slightly curved to permit arrangement of the chain-like member 1 about a central point in the body 6. It will be obvious, however, that the chain-like member 1 might be constructed to provide a substantially straight bar adjusted at various points to provide a wave-like work surface to a follower and so that relative sliding movement of the bar or follower would produce a required movement of an end portion of the follower remote from the portion engaging the Work surface. In this case the links would not be curved.

The chain-like member 1 is equipped with a plurality of mountings 49 comprising in each case an apertured body portion 50 and an apertured arm portion l. The body portion 50 is arranged to extend in spaced relation with the chain-like member 1 and at a point opposite from the work surface of the chain-like member 1. The apertured arm portion 5l of the mounting 49 is arranged to extend in spaced relation with a side of the chain-like member 1 and serves as a support for a bolt l5, 29 or 4l as the case may be and according to the requirement. The body portion 50 of each mounting'49 is supported on a rod adjustably mounted in the body 6 and operable to move a portion of the chain-like member 1 relative to the end portion41 of the body 6. By adjusting each rod as required the chainlike member 1 may be adjusted to make the chain-like member 1 present a wave-like pattern work surface to a follower arranged to keep in contact with the chain-like member 1 and follow the pattern of the work surface of the chain-like member 1.

As shown in Figs. l and 2 the body 6 has spaced apertures 52 provided therein and in each of which is supported a tubular support 53. The tubular support 5 3 is internally threaded from end to end and spaced longitudinal openings 54 are provided in the tubular support 53 to make a portion of the tubular support 53 compressible by means of a spring 55 enclosing the tubular support 53 and having a tendency to reduce the internal diameter of the tubular support 53, the spring 55 being disposed around a portion of the tubular support 53 of reduced outside diameter as shown at 56.

Adjustably mounted in tubular supports 53 are rods 51 to 14, inclusive, some of which are shown in Figs. 2 and 5 and others of which are not visible in the iigures of the drawings. None of the rods is visible in Fig. l but the positions of the rods are indicated in this figure by identification numerals of the rods applied at points where the rods extend through the body 6. Some of the rods may be longer or shorter than others when a part to be operated by means of the cam device has only a limited range of movement and it is desired to construct the cam device so that the chain-like member 1 cannot be set to make or permit the follower to move beyond required limits. In the cam device shown in Fig` 2 the rods are of different lengths but otherwise are constructed alike and a description of one rod will therefore be suilcient for an understanding of the construction of the others. For instance, the only difference in the structures of the rods B9 and 1I are the over-all lengths of the rods and the lengths of unthreaded portions of the rods. Each rod 51 to 14, inclusive, and with particular reference to the rod 60 comprises a head 15, a male threaded portion 16, an unthreaded portion 11 and a cylindrical reduced diameter portion 18 terminating in an end. portion 19 constructed to have mounted thereon retaining means such, for instance, as a nut and washer 8U. The reduced diameter portion 18 extends through and is journaled in the body portion 5U of the mounting 49, the base of the body portion 59 resting on a shoulder 3| formed on the rod 69 and the mounting 49 being retained on the rod 60 by means of the retaining means 8D. When the rod 69 is rotated in the tubular support 53 a portion of the chain-like member 1 is moved relative to the end portion 41 of the body 6, the direction of movement being in accordance with the adjustment of the rod 69 in the tubular support 53. When the rod 60 is given a right-hand turn the portion of the chain-like member 1 in register with the rod 60 is moved further from the end portion 41 of the body 6. A left-hand turn applied to the rod G9 will cause a portion of the chain-like member 1 to move nearer the end portion 41 of the body 6. Each mounting 49 is in register with an apertured end portion or a bifurcated end portion of a link and when the mounting 49 is moved relative to the end portion 41 of the body B the end portion of the link served by the mounting 49 will be moved relative to the end portion 41 cf the body 6. In most cases a mounting 49 is in register with overlapped end portions of two links, the end portion of one of the links being an apertured end portion and the end portion of the other link being a bifurcated end portion. The overlapped end portions of the links are in mechanical connection with a mounting 49 through a bolt 20 which extends through an apertured arm portion 5i of the mounting 49 and through the apertured end portion of one link and the corresponding bifurcated end portion of the other link. When a portion of the chain-like member 1 is moved relative to the end portion 41 of the body E, the bifurcated end portion of the link aieoted undergoes a pivotal and lengthwise movement since the chain-like member 1 is, in effect, shortened or lengthened due to portions of the end links of the chain-like member 1 being supported against longitudinal movement and other portions of the chain-like member 1 being moved to diiferent planes and relative to the end portion 41 of the body 6.

A collar 82 is mounted on each rod 51 to 14,

assaisoninciusive. td serve.- ass ai stop td limit longitudinal movement, of.' the rodin one: direction.. The col:- lair 8:25 isisupportedz om the unthreaded'4 portion- 1:1 of the rod and held in a required predetermined position on. the. rod by means of a pin or other suitable securing means 33 engaging the collar 82 and the UnthreadedV portion 11 of the rod. The collar 82 is positioned tov engage a flangeA 8d on a tubular support 93' when a predetermined left-hand turning movement is applied" to the rodi" rod sumcient to bring the head 15 into engagement with the plate 85 continued right-hand turning of the rod is prevented.

The spring 55 makes a portion of the tubularv support 53 closely grip the threaded portion of the rod sufficient to prevent undue rotation of the rod in the tubular support 53 when the cam device is operating.

The body 6 has an apertured hub portion 88 connected to the base portion 89 by means of arm portions 90. The hub portion 93 is constructed for mounting on a rotatable shaft 9| and may be retained on the rotatable shaft 9| by means of set screws 92 or other suitable holding means extended through the hub portion 98 and into contact with the rotatable shaft 9|. When the shaft 9| is rotated the body 6 is rotated and also the chain-like member 1.

The cam device above described may be used to operate a follower 22 shown in Fig. 5. In this case the follower 22 is pivotally supported at 93 and is equipped with a roller 9d arranged to ride on the chain-like member 1. The roller 94 bears against the chain-like member l and so that the roller 94 Will ride on the upper edge portions 2|, 33 and 44 of the links 8, 9 and I0, respectively, as the links come under the roller 94. The roller S4 may be maintained in engagement with the chain-like member 1 by means of a spring 95 secured at one end to a required point on the follower 22 and at the other end to a suitable support, not shown. The follower 22 shown in Fig. 5 is equipped with a gear portion 96 in mesh with a gear wheel 91 which may be attached to the rotor shaft 98 of a variable condenser 99. When the shaft 9| is rotated the follower 22 is operated under control of the chain-like member 1. Relatively high portions on the chain-like member 1 will cause the roller 94 to rise against the action of the spring 95. Relatively low portions on the chain-like member 1 will allow the roller 9B to descend under the action of the spring 95. The chain-like member 1 may be adjusted at various points along its length to present to the roller 94 a work surface of required wave line form represented by the wave-like line 48. The rods 51 to 14, inclusive, in the cam device may be adjusted as required to make relatively high and low spots on the work surface. The pattern of the work surface represented by the wave-like line d8 may therefore be changed as required to make the follower 22 operate in accordance with a required program.

The shaft 9| may be rotated by means of a ro- 'tata'blel shaft;r |109@ driving; connection with. the rotatablefshaft. 9|? throughgears. |,|l:| and;A |02;

A12m` order'tof keepathe. pivctally supported ends of? the various v links of.' theJ chain-like memberl 1 in.. register.- with; the corresponding adjustment .rods-.1 washers' tr; mayf be mounted. onathez bolts |59; and. 411;. tliezwashers |93 being locatedzbetweeni the armi portions" 5|; of.`l the mountings'y 49 ands oneiside ofthe chain-like. member 1. 1..'l3heiupper'edge's-of thelinkss, 9. andA I0 maylbe rounded 'off4 as required. t'o. make theY upperk edge bf'the-cliaim-like. member' 11 be of half-roundy form cross-section ases-flown at: |94 inflig. 2*.

What isciaimedz. is:

la. n camadevice' comprising a chain-'likel mem;- bergan anerturedr supportA` for' said chain-like member, links in said chain-like member set up edgewise and cooperating to form a work surface for a member to be controlled by the cam device, apertured end portions in each of said links and having side recesses formed therein, the recess on one end being on an opposite side from the recess on the other end, one of the apertures in each link being larger than another and being open through an end portion of the link, bolt means extending through the apertures in the links and holding two links in pivoted connection, and adjusting rod means supported in said apertured support and in mechanical connection with said links and operable to adjust said links to make said chain-like member present a work surface of required form.

2. A cam device comprising a support, a chainlike member arranged on said support and forming a cam surface in said cam device, links in said chain-like member, supporting rod means for said links adjustably mounted in said support and operable to move said links relative to said support and side recessed end portions in said links arranged in overlapping relation and one end of each link being bifurcated and having the side recess on an opposite side from the position of the recess on the other end of the link and constructed to permit lengthening and shortening of said chain-like member when said links are being moved by said supporting rod means relative to said support.

3. A cam device comprising a body, a chain-like member arranged on said body and forming a cam member in said cam device, links in said chain-like member having edge portions, said links being arranged to make the edge portions thereof cooperatively form a cam surface, rods adiustably supported in said body in spaced relation and in mechanical connection with said links and operable to adjust said links relative to said body to make said chain-like member present a required wave-like pattern, spring-pressed tubular support means mounted in said body to hold said rods in adjusted positions, end portions in said links arranged in overlapping relation, the end portions of the links being apertured to accommodate bolt means operating to hold the links together and the aperture in one of the link ends being elongated and open through the link-end to permit one link to slide lengthwise relative to another link.

4. A cam device comprising an apertured body, a chain-like member arranged in circular form and supported on said body, curved links forming said chainlike member, each of said links having an apertured end portion and a bifurcated end portion, the bifurcated end portion of one link being arranged in overlapping side relation with the apertured end portion of the next link and the overlapping end portions of adjacent links being recessed on their meeting sides to accommodate each other, bolt members holding said curved links together to cooperatively form said chainlike member, an apertured bracket forming a support for each bolt member, a screw-threaded rod extending into each bracket and forming an adjustable support for said bracket, an internally threaded tubular support for said screw-threaded rod, said tubular support being mounted in said apertured body and forming an internally threaded bushing type supporting member for said screw-threaded rod, flexible finger portions formed in said tubular support and bearing against the threaded portion of said screwthreaded rod, and a helical spring member mount- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the lo file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,180,766 Pearson Nov. 21, 1939 2,188,108 Dorman Jan. 23, 1940 Swallow Jan. 2, 1945 

